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3D Technology Saves Young Pup's Life At Penn Vet

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A successful k-9 brain surgery took place at Penn Vet using a 3-dimensional printed model of a dog's skull. This now has experts investigating other medical possibilities.

Clubber, a 7-year-old pit bull mix had a growing mass on the right side of his skull pressing up against his brain.

Penn Vet Neurology Resident Dr. Jonathan Wood says a C-T scan of clubber's skull was used to make a 3D model. Experts were then able to provide medical advice a week in advance of the surgery. After that they were able to plan a precise surgical road map for surgery.

"We just sort of got everybody's opinion that if you have this dog, with this exact mass sitting right in front of you, and you can touch it, and move it around, and see where you can go, and where you can't go, what would be the most ideal approach on doing that surgery," Wood said.

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(Photo Credit: Penn Vet)

He also says reconstruction of the dogs face was made easier by molding titanium mesh in advance with the help of the 3D model.

Clubber was released form the hospital within days. Doctors say the pit bull mix is doing very well following the surgery.

Dr.wood says talks are underway at Penn with various departments on how new technology such as 3D printing models can not only move veterinary medicine forward, but also human medicine.

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